Influence of Tillage, Nitrogen, and Rye Cover Crop on Growth and Yield of Tomatoes1

Abstract

Field studies were conducted on an Orangeburg sandy loam soil (Typic Paleudults) in central Alabama to determine the effects of tillage methods (complete, strip, and no-tillage), nitrogen rates (100 and 200 kg/ha), and rye ( Secale cereale ) cover crop on growth and yield of tomatoes ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Marketable tomato yields tended to decrease as amount of tillage decreased. The 3-year average yields for complete-tillage, strip-tillage, and no-tillage treatments were 29.9, 27.0, and 26.0 MT/ha, respectively. There was no consistent effect from N-rate on marketable yields. Average yields from the lower N-rate were greater than the higher N-rate in the two driest years and were similar or higher from the higher N-rate in the year of more average rainfall. Marketable yields tended to be greater on no-rye plots than on rye plots, with yields averaging 2.2 MT/ha higher for no-rye plots.